Tag: designbx

Heritage listed Sydney coastal home given new lease of life

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date August 11, 2022
No Comments on Heritage listed Sydney coastal home given new lease of life

This heritage listed property in Sydney’s Fairlight was overhauled by the team at Designbx recently with fabulous results. Home to a young professional couple and their two daughters, the home was transformed with a nod to traditional English interiors as well as Aussie coastal ones.

Having resided in Fairlight for many years, owners Harry Jayaweer and Sam Gilchrist were on the lookout for the perfect hub to build their dream home for a growing family. As it happened, a quaint little cottage hit the market and the couple pounced with a view to renovate and transform it into their forever home.

The formal lounge features new and existing elements

“The bones of this property allowed Harry and Sam to combine a unique blend of traditional and modern elements to create a very functional, yet warm and inviting home for their growing family,” says Designbx interior designer Kerena Berry.

Upon entering the home, a cosy formal lounge presents the first in a series of inviting spaces – it’s also the perfect hub for the owners’ book collection. The original stonework and central fireplace were maintained while the room was framed with traditional cornices and high line skirting – a reclaimed timber floor completes the room. “The floor was ethically sourced, each piece hand-picked, custom carved and hand laid – a true labour of love that brings such warmth and character to the home,” says Kerena.

As you walk further into the abode, a two-tiered open plan kitchen, lounge and dining area form the heart of the home. “The contrast from the smaller nook and warm feel of the front lounge to this expansive bright white and concrete floored, light filled box is incredible,” says Kerena. Floor to ceiling windows span the full rear of the lounge area allowing natural light to permeate the spaces.

Fairlight renovation — The home from the backyard

The amount of light at the rear of the home meant that Kerena wasn’t afraid to experiment with deeper tones in the kitchen – the galley style space features a mix of timber, aged copper and terracotta. “Warm and rich colours and textures act as the glue between the old and new parts of the home,” says Kerena. The kitchen had to be functional too – the owners are keen cooks and entertainers, and the space was designed to be inclusive when having guests over.

Upstairs, the children’s bedrooms, master bedroom, ensuite and study all feature custom designed joinery to maximise the efficient use of space. Blank Joinery created those as well as the library wall in the formal lounge and the kitchen.

The streamlined, easy to clean bathrooms are a striking feature on the second floor. A concrete look finish gives a moodiness that offsets the oversized skylights that make the spaces feel light and airy. Antique brass tapware adds a rustic feel.

“The clients said that they often walk around their home thinking they knew what they wanted for their dream home but the final design has totally exceeded their expectations.”

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Tags design, designbx, interior design, interiors, reno, renovating, renovation, Sydney interior designer

Competitions Design Interviews

Online platform Designbx proves its impact on interiors

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 17, 2018
No Comments on Online platform Designbx proves its impact on interiors

Leading online interior design platform Designbx has been named a finalist in the 2018 NSW Telstra Business Awards in the ‘Emerging and Energising’ category. An industry disruptor, this very impressive hat tip recognises the impact that the company has had on the interior design industry.

Designbx was launched in 2016 by businesswomen Kerena Berry, Kylie Pratt and Emily Carding, connecting homeowners and small business with interior designers who compete to style their homes. Created to be affordable, flexible and fun, the egalitarian platform was designed to put interior design within everyone’s reach.

“We’ve built a 100 per cent online marketplace where you can collaborate with amazing designers and choose from a huge catalogue of furniture and homewares to create amazing spaces. From our online style quiz all the way through to our personal shopper service, we’ve made it an incredibly intuitive process to ensure every Australian can have access to professional design,” says co-founder Kerena Berry.

“By migrating all the best features of professional design to an online platform, Designbx brings design packages well within the budget of most Australians and our industry discounts mean our clients can save thousands on furniture and homewares,” says Kerena of the platform that also offers 60 day post-project support.

As for the company’s recent Telstra win, it’s certainly no mean feat – to be a finalist, Designbx had to be in the top 25 of 5,000 applications in New South Wales. “Although entering the awards took a lot of time, I would highly recommend it to any other business owner to have a go. No matter the outcome, we viewed entering the awards as a way of being able to stop and reflect upon what we’d achieved. When you’re building a new business, you seldom get a chance to do that so this kind of forced us but in a good way. We were able to reflect on our successes and celebrate our achievements, and this was an inspiring process. It made us so proud,” says Kerena.

The Designbx team at the recent Telstra awards

“An aspect of the business the judges singled out was our commitment to innovation and customer experience improvements, as we reinvest 25 per cent of gross profit into product development. We are continuing to grow our partnerships with designers, manufacturers and other suppliers to grow our product catalogue of 50,000 products, to continue to offer clients a diverse range of bespoke and mainstream products. Our client base is continuing to expand geographically, with incredible projects being delivered by designers in all states of Australia.”

The company has a charitable focus too. “For every home that we transform, it allows us to give back to the community. We are currently committed to the Pledge 1% movement, and support organisations such as Bear Cottage who tirelessly provide respite to families facing terminal illness. We have a strong vision to expand this year on year, and it’s a very big personal driver for all three of us,” says Kerena.

Check out some Designbx transformations | Darren Palmer’s new online interior design course

Tags competition, designbx, interior design, interior designer, interiors, online design, telstra, telstra business awards

Design RENO ADDICT Styling

How to: Select a colour scheme for your home

Post author By Lauren Ellis
Post date October 26, 2016
No Comments on How to: Select a colour scheme for your home

By Kerena Berry

If there’s one element of interior design that we agonise over, it’s colour. How many movies have you seen that feature a scene where a couple are debating the colour of a nursery? It’s become an old trope in film comedy.

But there are good reasons for careful consideration. Colours are like musical notes or chords for the eyes, and can be incredibly subjective, hence the common decision to go with neutrals. Let’s take a look at the options so you can decide whether to be daring or conservative with your colour palette.

Build off an existing pattern in your space

If you have patterned upholstery, a multi-coloured rug, or a striking piece of art, pull colours from this element to create your base colour palette. For a neutral base, focus on the whites, beige and grey tones. For a more striking, moody room, look to the deeper tones.

Focus on one room and let that define your scheme for the home

Working on your main living room’s colours first, and perfecting them, sets the tone for the entire home. For example, if you go for a neutral palette with deep blue textile accents, and rustic wood furniture in your living area, draw on those elements for your other spaces. Take that deep blue tone, go a little darker and paint your walls in the den, creating a cosy inviting space. Accent with white and mid blue textiles to help balance the palette. In your library try rustic, timber built-in furniture, again tying your design elements from the main living area but in a varied proportion. Use similar tones but various degrees and intensities.

Work on a dark to light philosophy

An old trick of the trade is to work dark to light, vertically. Use dark colours on the floor, mid tones on the walls, and light values on the ceiling. The floor can be any hue; just ensure it is the darkest in the space. Simple but very effective.

Follow the ratios 60-30- 10

Think of your space in three sections. Your highest percentage 60%, which is your walls and your dominant colour, 30% is your secondary colour for your main furnishings and fittings. Lastly 10% is your accent colour for your finishing touches and accessories. A Martha Stewart classic!

Trust the old Colour Wheel

Going back to basics is often the key to creating a sensitive palette. An analogue palette is one where the colours sit next to each other on the colour wheel like red and orange. Remember that this can be any tone, light through to deep. This is a slightly less daring take on a monochromatic room (focusing on one key colour in a space is a strong trend at the moment) but no less impressive!

White’s not always right

Don’t assume white is best to give small spaces that larger, brighter feel. Instead use darker or wow colours to bring punch or warmth for a room that envelops you. Embrace a space for what it is and resist the urge to go against the grain.

Grey is the way!

It’s certainly become the neutral flavour over the last few years. Paint colourist have responded with breathtaking options within their collections, making it hard to move past grey’s appeal. Grey’s also have this unique ability, similar to white, to absorb and reflect surrounding colours, becoming a chameleon of sorts.

Set the mood

Colours invoke a mood. Be mindful of this when working in areas that require a definite vibe. Let’s say that in a casual living area, you want a vibrant, fun feel. In that case, opt for warm, contrasting or vivid colours. For a more relaxed and calming space, use neutrals, deeper blues and dirty greens—nature’s primary palette.

Hot flushes and cool currents

Blend warm and cool tones to bring an exciting tug of war into your space; it will keep the senses guessing and the mind curious. A warm caramel tone against a cool winter grey is calming yet interesting; a good option when a compromise is needed between butting personalities.

Black & white – is it right?

People will always debate whether these are actually colours (technically), yet they still prove to be a match made in heaven in the design world. From Modern, to Country spaces, this combination has a home. One could say they are a timeless combination; a safe yet powerful one!

There were three in the bed…

If you are yet to find your match then work to the rule of three. Use only three colours within your space and this should erode confusion, headaches, or debates. It’s almost fool proof.

Like what you like

There are a million design philosophies, principles and thoughts on how to select colours and why. But when you whittle it down, all you need to do is surround yourself with colours that bring you happiness, patterns and textures that support and encourage your lifestyle (even if it’s a little quirky) and a home that says ‘You’.

Kerena Berry is an interior designer and Co-founder of Designbx, Australia’s online interior design solution.

Tags bright, colour, designbx, feature, neutral, paint, trends

Expert Tips Styling

Find your interior style: modern eclectic or traditional chic?

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date September 28, 2016
No Comments on Find your interior style: modern eclectic or traditional chic?

By Kerena Berry

We spend hours shopping for clothes, planning our ensembles and admiring the results in the mirror, but how well dressed are our homes? You may be walking proud as you strut down the street, confident in your sense of fashion, but is your home’s interior the neighbourhood’s plain Jane?

Thankfully, finding your home’s perfect style is easy and also a lot of fun. Your interiors should be an extension of your flair for fashion and match your individual personality. Like any branch of creativity, interior design has a number of starkly different styles. These established approaches to the art and science of enhancing interiors act as excellent foundations or starting points for a journey that will end with a stunning home that expresses who you are.

To help you discover your own style, a website tool like the free style quiz at Designbx builds a trend board, which is basically a visual glimpse of the style’s essence. After you find your ideal style, you’ll see how variations and garnishes can create unique flair. But let’s start with the basics and introduce you to five popular interior design styles, along with great tips for achieving the right seasonal look.

Modern Eclectic

Modern eclectic mashes boho’s disregard for convention with Hollywood chic, making its mark with shape and pattern rather than colour. ‘Bold’ and ‘daring’ are the key words, and at the moment, jewel tones are all the rage. Add a touch of Hollywood noir with dark and moody hues while championing extravagance with oversized artwork.

Mirrors are key and should be used like art, with a preference for unique shapes and grouped in areas where you can catch natural light. Amplify the classic sense of charm by using this season’s favourite material velvet, which is perfect for the modern eclectic home.

Boho

Boho embraces the exotic, colourful, handcrafted and untraditional, creating unlikely marriages between contrasting colours, shapes, materials and decorations. This is the style that throws caution to the wind, with freedom and true individuality.

designbx_e — Image source: Honey Lake Studio

This season, Kilim patterns have migrated from rugs to soft furnishings while tapestries and woven art continue to be mainstays, creating a texture wonderland. Indoor greenery is here to stay, preferably oversized plants with delicate, cascading leaves. Artwork is veering toward landscapes of abstract coastal and desert scenes. Remember to have fun with this style. It’s all about creating interiors that break the rules yet achieve harmony.

designbx_l — Image source: Manolo Yllera

Traditional Chic

As the name suggests, Traditional Chic is plush but not at the cost of comfort. The challenge is to achieve grandeur while keeping your interiors homely. Think eighteen century, including choices of furniture which are either original antiques or are heavily influenced by classic, ornate furnishings. The mood definitely favours the feminine, with soft fabrics including the lush texture and finish of silk, while art is as you’d expect from any stately manor: clusters of well arranged smaller frames or dominant, large scaled works.

designbx_i — Image source: Better Homes and Gardens

Experimenting with textiles is key to the success of Traditional Chic, which encourages embracing the old and new to create striking yet sophisticated spaces. Shibori dying techniques look right at home here, which proves that classic styles have room for the unexpected. Plums and pastels bring a soft feminine feel to the style this season, and slim-lined vintage timber furniture are at home here. It’s all about elegance.

Modern

Modern has been with us since the early part of the last century when the Bauhaus movement made a large and sudden impact across a variety of artistic mediums. Since it was founded by an architect, it had a profound effect on interior design that began to place emphasis on materials such as plastics, glass and natural timbers. Its stark minimalism and elegant lines create an atmosphere of discernment and refinement.

designbx_j — Image source: Ricardo Labougle

This season, we’re pairing back our Modern designs to let oversized, block colours dominate while always ensuring these bold elements harmoniously blend. Juxtaposition is used dramatically by pairing square and curved forms. Fabrics are heavier and more textured, but most importantly, soft to the touch. The modernistas want comfort.

Scandi

Scandi is a mid-century addition to design styles that, as the name suggests, would be at home in Scandinavian countries where organic materials and subtlety are key. The heroes of your Scandi home are craftsmanship, minimalism, gentle contours and functionality. Rather than putting the spotlight on decorative touches, the foundation elements are championed, so colours, shapes and materials are crucial.

designbx_o — Image source: Eadie Lifestyle

While hues are never loud or stark, the muted tones of Scandi are rich. Forest Green is the kingpin. This season, commonly used soft pink is being replaced with a more vibrant peach. Mid to dark timber furniture is rising in popularity, and it’s a trend designers are embracing. Use against darker and deeper colours to create a combination that will be a great winter warmer.

designbx_m — Image source: Jonas Ingerstedt

Thankfully these styles alone are not seasonal. If they were, we’d have a lot of fun redecorating but it would cost us a fortune! However, as the seasons change, there are always exciting new trends to help us keep our foundation style fashionable. For those in the know, a few minor tweaks or a new feature is all it takes to bring your beautifully designed interiors back in style.

designbx_h — Image source: Jonas Ingerstedt

Kerena Berry is an interior designer and co-founder of Designbx, Australia’s online interior design solution.

Tags colour, design, designbx, interior, interior design, interiors, personal style, styling

RENO ADDICT Styling

Renovate a rental: Expert decorating tips to give your home a new lease

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date September 23, 2016
1 Comment on Renovate a rental: Expert decorating tips to give your home a new lease

By Kerena Berry

Three decades ago, finance pundits and advisers were starting to offer a concept that seemed audacious: people who rent properties may be better off than homeowners. There were, and still are, a multitude of factors contributing to the notion (far too many to list here) but suffice to say that if you’re sick of hearing your friends brag about their property investments, stop rolling your eyes because you just might be the smartest person in the room. With rising prices, the weight of responsibility and limitations on lifestyle, leases are looking better than mortgages. The best part? Renting a property certainly doesn’t exclude you from the most enjoyable part of owning a home: renovating! In fact, the key phrase to remember when living anywhere long term is the Designbx slogan: room to be you. You may not own it, but it’s your home, and your home should reflect your style and personality. So start getting to know your landlord and build a relationship that will make some of these handy hints a reality.

Get the bones right

Are those walls closing in on you are they the backdrop to your life? It may be time to paint, especially if you’re looking at a long lease. In most cases when you are adding value to property, the landlord or agent will be open to change (often they may pay if you organise trades or it may be a 50/50 split). But be mindful of your colour proposition. You may be facing an uphill battle if you propose olive green polka dots on a pink background. A neutral tone may be easier to get approval for. Warm greys offset with white is a fantastic base for almost any style.

Adding Storage

One of the most annoying aspect of rentals is the lack of storage. Owners and agents are selling space, first and foremost, so size matters, often at the cost of practical storage space. Thankfully the aesthetic appeal of dual purpose furniture and clever storage units is on the rise. Often the items are so cleverly designed that they go beyond what you’d consider visually acceptable to become a room’s key feature (and you’ll have room for whatever you’re addicted to collecting!).

designbx_q — Image courtesy of Bloglovin

Window treatments

Thou shalt not do vertical blinds! If you’re standing in front of your window with your hands on your hips, frowning at the window treatments, chances are you have to act, otherwise the look will annoy you for the entire duration of your life in that space. Let’s remove that ugliness but not get rid of it (you’ll need to reinstall it when you move out). Once those windows are bare, the sky’s the limit. Layer your window treatments to help create a more opulent and personalized space.

Changing hardware

Rental hardware is often durable and not aesthetically pleasing. Swap out existing hardware with something that screams your style. While it’s a more considerable investment, your personal hardware is just like your furniture: it goes where you go and instantly makes any new property feel like home. Once again, remember to keep old hardware to swap back when moving out (ready for the next leaseholders who will probably remove it and store it in the garage!).

whiting-achitects — Image courtesy of Made Measure

Rug up!

There may be a lot of things in life we’d like to sweep under the rug, but the most obvious is an unattractive, damaged or stained floor! Rugs are also the groundwork for your design. There’s nothing like an additional layer to spice up a room, especially if you’re struggling to fill a space, or want some colour. But let’s not go overboard and certainly not completely fill the whole floorspace. If you’ve got that many stains to cover, you need a new property. Also, statistically, people who own more than seven large rugs are more likely to become hermits or old cat ladies (okay, that was a lie).

designbx_d — Image courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Light up your life!

Lighting is a fundamental element to any design phase. Functional and aesthetic, this is one design element that can often be a cinch to add. Play with scale to create wow focal points throughout your home. Use colour to brighten neutral spaces or go wild and string lights like it’s the P&O Fairstar. Let your style sing! Using lighting behind furniture items like bookcases or open shelving allows you to use bare bulbs (cheap and affordable) but creates a custom lighting solution for your home.

designbx_b — Image courtesy of Style Caster

Something to lean on

Not all landlords are open to adding hooks to the walls for artwork. In fact, most property managers probably have nightmares about hooks and nails. Don’t worry; there is always a way! Get your lean on. Use furniture surface, furniture tops, floors, window sills, open shelves…anything to get your art out there. We recommend odd numbers where possiblepart of design 1:01. At the end of the day, who’s house do you want to live in? You can live a space that feels like a demonstration model or one that reflects the style (or design sins) of the owner. Contractually, it’s your home for the duration of the lease, so make it feel that way. Build strong relationships with the landlord and estate agent, preferably early, and make sure your rental home has ‘room to be you’.

designbx_n — Image courtesy of My Domaine Home

Kerena Berry is an interior designer and Cofounder of Designbx, Australia’s online interior design solution.

Tags decorate, design, designbx, diy, home reno, home renovation, interiors, real estate, renovate, rental, styling

Designers Expert Tips

The top 10 interior design trends for 2016/17

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date July 14, 2016
1 Comment on The top 10 interior design trends for 2016/17

By Kerena Berry

When it comes to self-expression, interior design has become every bit as important as the outfit you’re wearing right now (hopefully you’re not reading this while wearing an ancient pair of trackie dacks). Like fashion, design trends change with the seasons, but here are 10 movements in interior design that will be making waves for the next 12 months.

1. Two-tone kitchens

Stark and bold, the two-tone kitchen purposely limits colour range to create diversity in other ways, most notably finishes. From afar, the simple palette is deceptive because on closer scrutiny, brave combinations of textures reveal the complexity of the design. Rustic finishes on cabinets may not marry well with marble benches in your imagination, but in reality can work beautifully, creating a dramatic textural statement brought to life by the two-tone approach.

2. Wall tiles outside the kitchen and bathroom

Wall tiles are on the move, no longer trapped in their traditional domains. They’re migrating from kitchens and bathrooms to become features in common areas, and the effect is stunning. Now that they’re making their mark as ornamental bling in living areas, the humble tile is now enjoying a rapid evolution as designers compete to think outside the box and produce work that is aesthetically and practically superior. Tile designers are pushing the boundaries of shape, colour and functionality.

3. Mirrors as decor

They’ve always been a handy way to trick the eye into believing a room has greater dimensions (or simply to make sure we’re gorgeous), but mirrors are now being used much more creatively. With an increasingly diverse range of shapes and colours, you can throw out your old notions of where a mirror belongs, and start considering them as a feature that will add vibrance to any room. As with the more unorthodox use of tiles, consider using mirrors as decorative elements rather than functional items.

4. Wallpaper becoming more a part of the room

Finally shedding the yolk of tradition, wallpaper is making a comeback by becoming a more active element in a room’s styling. Rather than a backdrop, it becomes a partner for furniture by matching wallpaper pattern with fabrics. This brave combination generates a striking effect on the eye that is currently inspiring a wallpaper renaissance.

5. High-gloss cabinetry

Always preferred for its durability, high-gloss is now producing startling results in modern designs. Rich and vibrant, high-gloss is a finish that continues to surprise, using its relationship with light and reflections to offer a range of bold and unpredictable effects.

6. Pendant lights

Initially used to produce clean lines and hidden sources of light, pendants have evolved and are refusing to be concealed. With rising popularity, they’re being used more creatively and can now be seen creeping into design plans as decorative elements. No longer limited to select spaces, we’re seeing pendant lights as a general preference, even in powder rooms. With the right planning, it’s easy to use these lights more artistically by creating interesting sequences and patterns.

7. Moody colours

Expect deep and moody colours contrasted with two-tone walls. This is the trend of the year and although it may seem brave, this stark juxtaposition seldom fails when designed well. The same combination can also create a lighter, upbeat atmosphere but there’s no doubt that the use of deeper colours creates a sense of comfort. For added impact within the darker tones, a feature mirror can add spark.

8. Sustainability

The customer is always right and more clients are insisting on materials that satisfy their ecological standards. Although designers don’t usually embrace limitations, we certainly welcome sustainability. The preference for organic, recyclable and upcycling materials is now a mainstream trend. Aesthetics and textures are no longer enough. Rather than a hurdle for designers, embracing this trend can lead to the use of materials with greater character.

-Kerena Berry is an interior designer and co-founder of Designbx, Australia’s online interior design solution.

Tags 2016, 2017, design trends, designbx, edesign, interior design, interiors, kerena berry, mirrors, moody colours, online interior design, two tone kitchens, wall tiles, wallpaper